Common Sage Seeds
When should I plant
Garden sage is easy to start from seed. You can start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost, or sow them directly outdoors after the last frost date.
Site consideration
Soil that is more on the sandy side and drains well is perfect for growing sage. The pH can be slightly acidic to neutral. If your soil has a high clay content, you will want to amend it before planting sage. Raised beds are a great place to grow sage.
Water
Sage seedlings need consistent water. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Once the sage plants are established, they are drought tolerant. You only need to water when the soil is dry at a depth of 1 to 2 inches.
Sunlight
Sage needs full sun to grow and develop its potent flavor. Plant sage where it can receive at least 6 hours of bright, direct light. In hot summers, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.
Seed Germination
It is best to start sage seeds indoors to control the growing conditions for seed germination. Plant sage seeds ¼” deep in seed starting mix. Keep seeds moist until they germinate in 10 to 20 days. Use a spray bottle to wet the soil and then cover it with a clear plastic dome to keep the seeds from drying out. Soil temperature of 65 - 70ºF is ideal for germination.
Transplant
When sage seedlings are about 4 inches high and have two sets of true leaves, they will be ready for transplanting. Wait until all danger of frost is past and the soil temperatures reach 60°F. Take time to harden off seedlings before transplanting.
Other Elements
Fertilization
Even though adding fertilizer will result in vigorous plant growth, it is not recommended. Like other herbs, the potent flavor of sage will be weakened when it has too much growth. Skip the fertilizer and apply compost in the spring when growing sage for culinary use.
Pruning
Pruning every spring will encourage new growth and help keep the sage plant's center from becoming woody. You can also prune during the growing season to shape the plant. Sage will eventually become a woody plant and can be divided or replanted after a few years.
Weed control
Sage will benefit from regular weeding, as weeds will crowd the plant, hindering air circulation and compete for nutrients.
Properly preparing your soil is an excellent preventive measure against the emergence of weeds. When you till or cultivate the area where you’ll plant sage, remove weeds and debris. After planting and initial weeding, place mulch no later than three to five weeks after planting to further deter weeds.
Once your sage plants have started growing, the space between plants will fill in, which will smother most weeds. If weeds come up between your more mature sage plants during the season, work the soil around the base of the plants with a hoe.
Harvest
The beauty of growing your own sage is that you can harvest sage leaves as you need them. In the first year of growing sage, only take off a few leaves. In the following years, you can take leaves as you need them. Never remove more than ⅓ of the plant at a time.
Seed Storage
The seeds will maintain a high germination percentage if stored under proper conditions. How long your seeds remain viable will depend on the temperature and moisture levels the seeds are exposed to. Seeds which are improperly stored will quickly deteriorate if unprotected against high humidity and dramatic temperature fluctuations day after day.
For best results, keep the seed in our moisture-proof ziplock sealing bags, which provide a better moisture prevention effect. Glass jar or plastic containers with snap-on lids works well too, add a packet of desiccant before sealing into the seed, such as silica gel to remove any moisture remains in the storage container. Seed stored under these conditions will remain viable for as long as years.
Factors Which commonly Cause Poor Results
1. Improper drainage soil
2. Sowing depth more than one inch
3. Covering the seed too deep beneath the soil surface
4. Cover a large area with a small amount of seed.
5. Plant at a wrong time of a year
6. Lack of sunlight
7. Inadequate rainfall after seed germination. The area should not be allowed to become completely dry. Supplemental watering may be required to sustain plant life.
8. Extreme weather conditions: hail, drought, excessive rainfall, floods, unseasonably cold temperatures.w